Selfsufficientish.com

Without wanting to gloat too much (cos' I know greenbean is having problems getting one ) - I have just managed to acquire an allotment!!!

Have been getting very frustrated as I wanted to grow loads of veggies this year, and it was looking like I wouldn't get a chance, until this morning, when the Allotment Assocation rang me and said that they've allocated me a plot. Oh Happy Days!

Thing is, it looks like there is a small Elder Tree on the plot, which is handy cos' I can make wine and things from it, but can anyone suggest a veggie crop that I may be able to grow in the earth surrounding it? I'm thinking that maybe something that doesn't send it's roots down too deep might be suitable?

Congratulations! Gloat away!!
love Greenbean

Oh that's great news, I am still investigating the availability of allotments in our area. I am hoping to get one which is literally around the corner from us, but I am aware that they are tricky to come by.

Go and have fun! Lots of hard work, but just imagine what you'll be able to grow. How exciting. 8)

Sunpuppy,

Lettuce are shallow rooted and tolerate shade....they might be worth a go!

Nev

congratulations sunpuppy, how exciting!

might be a good idea to check out if elder will inhibit germination/growth of anything you put under it. i made the mistake this year of putting my potting bench under an orange tree and nothing's growing - the fact that there's nothing, not even grass, growing under the orange trees should have been a bit of a clue there ... doh!

i have heard that it's supposed to be very unlucky to cut down an elder tree.

best wishes, sophie

Well done on getting an alltoment sunpuppy. Always good to hear that someone else has joined the ranks of the allotmenteers. It is good to see the revival in allotments over the last few years, it shows a shift in the way of thinking.


I think it is bad luck if you burn it http://www.selfsufficientish.com/elder.htm#folk - I say I think as Dave wrote that article rather than myself. I have read that if you burn it you see the devil.

Is this your first year of gowing stuff? I ask as in my first year I could not manage the whole of the allotment. It is perhaps worth just putting some carpet under the elder for this year to keep the weeds down then cross the bridge next year of what to grow in a weed free zone. again if it is your first year this should help you http://www.selfsufficientish.com/first.htm

good luck and happy growing

Andy Hamilton wrote:Is this your first year of gowing stuff? I ask as in my first year I could not manage the whole of the allotment.

Funny you should say that Andy, cos' I was umming and ahhing about getting a whole plot, which is BIG, but decided on second thoughts to just have a half plot, which will give me enough room for four good sized rotat-able beds, a small shed, and a compost area. I had a half plot last year on a different allotment site, but didn't really have the time to cultivate it properly and only managed to grow some spuds on it. This time, though, I've got more time to spare.

Nev, I think I'll try your idea of lettuce - or maybe rocket - do you reckon that would grow OK there as well?

Thanks for all the good wishes - you guys are such a lovely bunch.....

G'DAy Sunpuppy,

I think that rocket may not be as shade tolerant as lettuce, but probably worth a go!

I have used elder twigs (canadiensis) to start my fire and havent seen the devil yet (except perhaps when I look in the mirror maybe?)

Nev

It would be good to hear your experiences as we have just been told there are a number of allotments available in our area. We have visited the site (about 5mins walk from the house) and given the parish clerk a list of about 8 plots we would be interested in. None too big nor small but enough for us to begin the experiment...

Lyds wrote:

I wonder what the neighbours would say if I used the front garden as a veg plot?

Do it Actually if it really is a problem then they probally would not say much to a good herb garden they can look really pretty. If you can get a cartwheel and put different herbs in each section that would look fantastic.

I've seen at least one garden near home that does just that. If Jamie Oliver is right, and most kids don't know what vegetables look like, you're probably fairly safe from the danger of scrumping, too!

Wulf

I'd rather see veg than gnomes!

Sunpuppy,

You might want to think about planting(!) a bench under you tree, believe me when it's a hot summers day having some where to sit in the cool and admire your hard work will be worth it.






JIll..

cheap&cheerful wrote:You might want to think about planting(!) a bench...

A friend of a friend was a basket weaver, and would make all sorts of things out of woven willow. She showed me a chair that she had made, literally planting the willow uprights in the ground so that they took root, and the chair became a living thing.

I've wanted to do that ever since - the idea of a living chair that would envelop you with its foliage when you sat in it.